Thailand

• What is considered the birthplace of the Thai nation?


  Sukhothai
• What significant artifact was discovered in Sukhothai in 1833?

  Sukhothai stone
• How was Sukhothai governed?

  By a just, fatherly, Buddhist monarch
• When was the Kingdom of Ayutthaya established?

  1351
• Who codified the structure of government in Ayutthaya?

  King Trailok
• What system did King Trailok develop in Ayutthaya?

  System of Sakdina
• What was the social structure in Ayutthaya based on?

  Pyramid of social structure
• What was the role of the sangha in Ayutthaya?

  Parallel hierarchical organization under royal oversight
• How did Ayutthaya's openness to trade contribute to its strength?

  It brought information and ideas
• Who was the founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom?

  Rama I
• When was Bangkok established as the capital?

  1782
• What significant military event occurred during Rama I's reign?

  Repulsion of the Burmese in 1785 and 1786
• What was one of Rama I's contributions to the Buddhist scriptures?

  Production of a new, definitive text
• What was the purpose of the mass registrations and tattooing of subjects during Rama I's reign?

  To indicate place of residence and administration
• What concessions did Siam grant to Western powers during King Mongkut's reign?

  Economic and legal concessions
• What was the Bowring Treaty of 1855?

  Reduced import/export duties and abolished monopolies
• What major reforms did Chulalongkorn (Rama V) implement in the mid-1880s?

  Creation of a centralized bureaucracy and modern military
• What was the significance of the Anglo-French confrontation in Southeast Asia for Thailand?

  Guaranteed independence of most Thai territory
• How did Chulalongkorn (Rama V) view democracy?

  Rejected any thought of introducing democracy
• What was the impact of the Great Depression of 1929 on Thailand?

  Weakened the power of the absolute monarchy
• What was the outcome of the coup d'état against King Prajadhipok (Rama VII)?

  Overthrow of the absolute monarchy in 1932
• What was the significance of the name change from Siam to Thailand in 1939?

  Marked a national identity shift
• What was the military's role in Thailand's modernization?

  Arbiter of state affairs
• How did US aid impact Thailand from the 1950s?

  Substantial support for modernization
• What was Sarit Thanarat's approach to governance?

  Return to Thai traditions and economic development
• What was the impact of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) on the monarchy?

  Renewed prominence of the monarchy
• What was the nature of Thailand's foreign policy?

  Based on flexibility, resilience, and pragmatism
• What forms of government does Thailand have?

  Constitutional Monarchy, Parliamentary, Unitary
• Who is the current King of Thailand?

  Maha Vajiralongkorn
• What is the role of the Privy Council in Thailand?

  Advisory body to the head of state
• How many members are in the House of Representatives?

  500 members
• What is the composition of the House of Senate?

  250 members, mostly handpicked
• What powers does the Constitutional Court have regarding legislators?

  Can remove members by 1/10 of total
• What is the role of the Prime Minister in Thailand?

  Head of the Government
• What is the highest court in Thailand?

  Supreme Court of Justice
• How is local government structured in Thailand?

  76 provinces under governors
• What is the role of the district officer in local government?

  In charge of district administration
• What is the function of municipalities in Thailand?

  Includes Bangkok and provincial capitals
• What are the phases of Thailand's modernization?

  • Established institutions of state
  • Transformation from rural to manufacturing economy
  • Military as arbiter of state affairs
  • Substantial US aid from the 1950s
  • Authoritarianism under Sarit Thanarat
  • Rise of communism and protests
  • Series of coups and regime changes
• What are the key components of Thailand's government structure?

  • Constitutional Monarchy
  • National Assembly: House of Representatives and Senate
  • Prime Minister as head of government
  • Privy Council as advisory body
  • Supreme Court as highest judicial authority